Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993.
between, among (preps.)
It is often argued that between should be used to express a relationship involving two of something, and among should express relationships involving three or more, but in fact that generalization does not describe the way English has long used these prepositions. Between can be used of as many items as you like if the relationship is one-to-one, however much it may be repeated with different partners: Economic relations between Great Britain, France, and Italy [or between some members of the EEC] are tense at present. Among works with any plural number above two: Among the milling ballplayers, fans, and reporters were the four umpires. Best advice: use between of two and among of three or more in Edited English, but elsewhere, and especially at lower levels, feel free to use between of two, three, or more. But see also AMONG.
